The Conservation Alliance board and staff spent two days in Washington, D.C. last week hearing updates on conservation policy issues, and advocating for land and water protection initiatives. The annual trip included representatives from 14 member companies.
The Conservation Alliance board and staff spent a full day hearing from experts about various topics related to conservation policy, which included the following subjects: National Monuments; Wilderness; Land and Water Conservation Fund; and the Arctic. The briefings were designed to help the group better understand what conservation gains are possible with the new Congress and a second-term Obama administration.
Though the Alliances primary function is to make grants to grassroots conservation organizations, the group supplements that funding with targeted education and advocacy.
We work hard to learn which conservation initiatives are politically viable, said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. We make grants to local, grassroots organizations, but many of them depend on action in D.C. to secure success. Our business leaders are great spokespeople for the economic benefits of conservation.
After the training day, the group hit Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional offices to demonstrate business support for specific conservation proposals. The group met with 15 different offices, primarily to share the message that protecting wild places is good for the outdoor industry and its customers.
When Congress protects Wilderness areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers, the industry benefits, said Sterling. Customers need these protected places to enjoy the products our industry makes and sells.
The Conservation Alliance is an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas.
Membership in the Alliance is open to companies representing all aspects of the outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, publishers, mills and sales representatives. The result is a diverse group of businesses whose livelihood depends on protecting our natural environment.
Since its inception in 1989, the Alliance has contributed more than $11 million to grassroots conservation groups. Alliance funding has helped save more than 41 million acres of wildlands; protect 2,700 miles of rivers; stop or remove 25 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase nine climbing areas.
